Barr seeks to end ‘dynasty’

MEYERSDALE — The Shuster name has been synonymous with Pennsylvania’s 9th Congressional District for the last 35 years.

Before campaigning door to door in Meyersdale Friday, Tony Barr, the Democratic nominee for the House seat, said he would love to end the family’s decades-long dynasty.

“The difference between us is that I represent the working people of this area,” he said. “My opponent, I believe, is representing the corporate interests in Washington, D.C., and elsewhere.”

Barr’s Meyersdale visit marks the fourth time he has campaigned in Somerset County since this election season began. Earlier stops this campaign included Garrett, Rockwood and Cairnbrook.

Advertisement

“I got into knocking doors earlier this time around,” Barr said, noting the importance of trekking all 15 counties within one of the state’s largest districts.

Barr, 39, teaches special education at Everett High School. He ran against Rep. Bill Shuster two years ago, losing 60 to 40 percent.

Barr said both he and Shuster agree that the country needs to become less dependent on foreign oil. Their difference, he added, is how they propose to solve the problem: While Shuster supports more domestic oil drilling, Barr advocates a greener approach.

“Jobs in the green energy economy will produce four times as many jobs as the old fossil fuel energy,” he said.

Barr added that he would like the government to invest in technology that would allow automobiles to run on natural gas.

“You could convert a vehicle to natural gas in about the time it takes to do a tune-up,” he said.

Barr said he believes the future lies in solar power and windmills.

“The development of wind energy could make up for a shortfall of electricity,” he said.

As for political heroes, Barr said he has been inspired by the late Paul Wellstone, a former Minnesota senator, and the message of current North Carolina Sen. John Edwards.

“There’s a divide between the uber-rich and the rest of us,” he said.

Somerset County, like a majority of other counties in the 9th District, is primarily Republican.

Barr said that while he faces some bias as a Democrat, he feels his message is gaining traction because he is “an American first.”

Losing to Shuster two years ago has not deterred him from another run — he said he expects to fare much better this time.